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Guardiola keen to keep peace with Aguero

Carl Recine / Reuters

Manchester - Pep Guardiola insists his relationship with Sergio Aguero remains strong despite mounting speculation over the Manchester City striker's future since the arrival of Gabriel Jesus.

Teenage sensation Jesus took Aguero's place in Guardiola's starting lineup before breaking a bone in his foot, an injury that may rule the Brazilian out for the remainder of the season.

That forced Guardiola to recall Aguero for an FA Cup fifth round draw at second tier Huddersfield on Sunday.

But it was an uninspired performance by Aguero in the goalless draw and the rapport between forward and manager looked strained.

With just two goals to his name since the end of November, recent events have fuelled the speculation that Aguero, 28, could end his six-year stay with City once the current campaign is over.

But, as Guardiola prepared for the first game of a two-legged tie with Monaco in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, the City boss insisted he is handling Aguero no differently to at any time in the past.

"Sergio has enough experience. He knows, everyone knows," Guardiola told reporters on Monday.

"We are going to talk with him like with all of his team-mates to convince him in these two games, 180 minutes, that we are not going to be able to do our best performance because in this level it is so demanding in the Champions League.

"It is one of the most beautiful competitions to play, maybe not the most important, but the most beautiful and we have to do our best.

"But the guys who score goals, it is talent, instinct. How they have to move, create spaces. He does not need to be controlled like a TV remote control. He is going to do it himself."

Guardiola confirmed City captain Vincent Kompany's injury problems are still continuing after he missed the Huddersfield game and he will sit out the first leg against Monaco.

The City manager, however, hopes Kompany's leg injury will have recovered in time for the FA Cup replay against Huddersfield next week.

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